Insider Special Edition 2015 | Page 109

worth a total of 5 billion euros. UfM’s labelled projects dealing with higher education, vocational training and job creation have had over 200,000 beneficiaries. Perception of the Mediterranean Tourism Foundation As a first observation, any meeting, organisation or conference that somehow deals with the Mediterranean is welcome. This is not competition but diverse efforts which in one way or another help to enhance understanding, exchange and create mutual trust, towards the ultimate goal of giving the peoples of the Mediterranean a better life. Those who want to create disorder, who want to create disillusionment amongst youth, have targeted tourism. Their aim is to increase frustration; they want to kill the aspirations of young people, leaving them with very little options INSIDER SPECIAL EDITION Tourism plays a crucial role in creating jobs for both males and females. The present time and specifically the rise of extremism on both sides of our shores make the above goals even more crucial to achieve. One main component towards achieving these goals and defeating extremism is job creation. The problem of youth unemployment, both male and female is one that has to be tackled due to its economic, social and political repercussions Tourism is one area that can help Mediterranean countries meet this challenge. It is hardly necessary to dwell at length on the crucial role that tourism plays in creating jobs, for both males and females. Added to that one has to mention that tourism also helps to increase mutual understanding between hosts and guests, coming from different backgrounds of religion, culture and history. We need to know each other better, without knowing each other we cannot communicate properly. The setting up of a Mediterranean Tourism Foundation is certainly a step in the right direction and it comes at the most opportune time. Those who want to create disorder, who want to create disillusionment amongst youth, have targeted tourism. Their aim is to increase frustration; they want to kill the aspirations of young people, leaving them with very little options, op- tions that will only lead to disaster for the youths concerned and for the youths of those countries. The message must be clear. We are certainly going through a difficult time. What this implies is that we cannot give up; we have to rise to the challenge. We have to have a long term vision, the challenge is great and so must be our efforts. Above all we have to be intelligent in our response. This is not the first challenge that the Mediterranean Sea has faced nor will it be the last but the various efforts that we in our own different ways and spheres undertake will ultimately lead to a better future for our people. H.E. George Saliba is Malta’s Ambassador and Special Envoy to the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean. 2015 107